In every mathematics classroom, teachers balance a thousand moving parts—differentiated needs, varied confidence levels, and the inevitable moments when students feel adrift. Often, the most powerful shift comes not from giving students more answers, but from giving them a framework to author their own thinking. When learners have tools that teach them how to inquire, not just what to solve, they need less “rescue” and build confidence in their ability to navigate challenges independently. This is where the teacher steps into the role of editor—shaping the conditions for learning while students take ownership of the story.
The BEAR worksheet is one such tool. Created as part of MathTrack’s GROWTH Framework, it is designed to guide students through the full arc of problem solving—particularly during individual work time—while also making their thinking visible to themselves and their teacher. BEAR is not just a checklist; it’s a narrative structure that fosters self-guided learning, deepens critical thinking, and offers a tangible record of the learner’s journey.
BEAR stands for:
- Begin
- Explore
- Attempt
- Reflect
Each stage is a chapter in the story of solving a problem, with prompts and resources that allow students to work independently while still connected to a shared classroom culture.
The BEAR worksheet
There are many applications of the BEAR worksheet, and it can be adapted in several ways to the changing needs of you and your students in your classroom. Let’s explore each of the sections in further detail.
Begin - Introducing the Character of the Problem
Every story starts by meeting its main character. In mathematics, that means clearly writing down the problem. This small act grounds the learner—it ensures they’ve seen, named, and acknowledged the work ahead. Much like a reader placing themselves in the opening scene, the student sets the stage for what follows. A written problem also stands on its own for grading, discussion, or peer review.
Explore – Seeing the Landscape Before the Journey
The temptation in mathematics is often to leap straight to the “how.” But the richest learning happens when we pause to understand the terrain—what’s given, what’s unknown, and what the problem is truly asking. The Explore section prompts students to notice details, define key terms, and imagine what a reasonable answer might look like. Here, they practice asking sharper questions: not “I don’t get it,” but “What does this word mean?” or “Should my diagram look like this?” It’s the shift from confusion as a wall to confusion as a doorway.
Attempt – Engaging with the Conflict
Every good story has a turning point—the place where the protagonist must act. In mathematics, this is the work of trying, of applying strategies, of wrestling with uncertainty. Students use the insights from Explore to attempt a solution, recording their thinking even if the path turns out to be wrong. Errors are not discarded; they are plot twists that deepen understanding. The final answer has its own space, allowing students to compare where they began with where they arrived.
Reflect – Closing the Loop and Extending the Story
Reflection is where the learner steps back to see the whole arc: Does this answer make sense? What resources proved most valuable? Could I teach this process to someone else? These prompts help students recognize “aha” moments, notice the role of mistakes in their learning, and strengthen the habit of explaining ideas in their own words. In a classroom committed to a growth mindset, these reflections are moments of dignity—acknowledging the complexity of learning and the student’s agency within it.
Implementing BEAR in Your Classroom Story
The BEAR worksheet is intentionally one page, easy to print, and the backside is blank white scratch paper. It works across MTSS tiers—from whole-class demonstrations to small-group work to targeted interventions—and sets boundaries for when and how students seek help, extending their independent problem-solving time. BEAR also serves as a bridge for peer learning: it gives advanced students a script for tutoring without simply handing over answers. Teachers can adapt prompts to suit their own “story world,” adding resources or reflection questions that match specific content.
Ready to try out the BEAR worksheet yourself?
